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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
This is Desmond Ridder's team. Ridder looked poised during his lone preseason drive and possesses the athleticism to function as a dual-threat fantasy quarterback. Jeff Schultz of The Athletic discussed the team's conservative game plan with Ridder but emphasized that the skill level of the surrounding talent can still yield fantasy productivity. When discussing Ridder, the team praises his mental makeup, although they acknowledge concerns about his accuracy. He is a deep fantasy sleeper, given his athleticism and supporting talent. Taylor Heinicke could also hold fantasy relevance if given the opportunity; he can run and spread the ball around with this roster. Logan Woodside could make the 53-man roster and serve as the new emergency quarterback on game day, but that would represent a downgrade in fantasy value.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson will serve as the engine of the entire offense and will have a significant role in the passing game. He can justify a high ADP, particularly in PPR formats. Tyler Allgeier will get regular playing time but will primarily be utilized in the running game, which limits his ceiling even if Robinson is unavailable. He could serve as a standalone flex in desperate situations. Cordarrelle Patterson will have a role and might also see time as the third wide receiver. Coach Arthur Smith talked about the utility of Patterson. As a team leader, Patterson has been the offensive face of Smith's tenure. Should Robinson miss time, both Allgeier and Patterson could rise to flex play status or even higher. Godwin Igwebuike has had a strong camp and could secure a spot as the fourth running back, although he would likely need two injuries ahead of him to become relevant.
Wide Receivers
Drake London is the unquestioned star at the wide receiver position. Expect him to command one of the highest target shares in the league. London is the prototype player who explodes in his second year and offers meaningful value above and beyond his average draft position. That said, a lower overall pass volume could limit both his ceiling and weekly consistency. Mack Hollins will also see significant playing time, primarily serving as a blocker who can contribute occasional big plays. The team is likely to keep only five receivers: London, Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, and Scotty Miller are sure bets, while the fifth spot remains open. Josh Ali started the final preseason game, but Atlanta may opt to waive him in favor of a newly released free agent. The primary reason for keeping fewer receivers than most NFL teams is the value placed on versatility. Running back Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Kyle Pitts are expected to serve as receivers in many formations.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts is on the mend and has been making plays, but he may be eased into action early in the season due to his MCL injury. The team has held him out of multiple practices. If Ridder can get him the ball, he has undeniable upside, but the same was true last season, yet never materialized. Jonnu Smith spoke to AtlantaFalcons.com's Scott Bair on the importance of reuniting with Coach Smith: “Arthur knows the caliber of player that I was and the skill set that I had, and all I can do is enhance those. We're going to try to push the needle and put me in as many positions as I can to help, ultimately, this team win.” If Smith recaptures his Tennessee form, he can regain fantasy relevance, but that’s unlikely without an injury to Pitts, at a minimum. MyCole Pruitt is expected to make the team, and Parker Hesse has a good chance of edging out John Fitzpatrick for the fourth tight end spot. Both will see playing time as the coaches utilize diverse personnel groupings.
Defense
Safeties Jessie Bates and Richie Grant, along with linebackers Troy Anderson and Kaden Elliss, are the names to know for individual defensive player (IDP) leagues. Bair quickly noted Anderson's speed, stating, “Boy, is he fast. He's working well with Kaden Elliss as an off-the-ball linebacker and has really developed on the defensive side of the ball. He can cover most anyone – again, the dude is fast – and is a sure tackler.” Safety DeMarcco Hellams has been a consistent presence in camp as a seventh-round rookie. Coach Smith said, “He shows up when the lights are on. He finds the football. We will continue to work on some other things, but that's a good habit to have.”
Returners
The Falcons feature Cordarrelle Patterson, regarded as the best kickoff return specialist in NFL history. While they've aimed to reduce his special teams workload over the last two years, adding rookie Bijan Robinson likely grants more opportunities for Patterson. Newly signed cornerback Mike Hughes, the most experienced punt returner on the roster, has been leading the position in snaps so far.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Arthur Smith played his starters only during the first drive against the Bengals. Desmond Ridder looked sharp, completing seven of nine passes and advancing the team down the field. However, the drive concluded with a tipped-ball interception. Ridder's standout throw was a back shoulder pass to Drake London, converting a crucial third down and extending the drive. Ridder views himself as a distributor: "They've put playmakers around me. It's up to me to let them go play. I put the ball in their hands." Penalties were a problem, from Ridder: "Up 10, back 5. That's not the most efficient way to the end zone. It's about cleaning that up." Taylor Heinicke has locked up the No. 2 job. He played most of the snaps, going 13-of-21 for 162 yards and rushing for 14 more. Logan Woodside led a 2-minute drill to a game-tying field goal in his bid for a roster spot.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson made his unofficial NFL debut, making a strong impression with his first carry, gaining 12 yards. He also showcased his receiving skills with an impressive one-handed catch on an outlet pass. He only played one series and had four rushes and a target. After the game, coach Smith praised the rookie: "I thought he handled it really well. He operated fast. It certainly didn't look too big for him." The Athletic's Josh Kendall projected the distribution of touches in the backfield as follows: Robinson - 215 rushes, 86 targets / Tyler Allgeier - 158 rushes, 12 targets / Cordarrelle Patterson - 50 rushes, 35 targets. Smith emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying, "We may have the idea that we want to get guys a certain number of carries, and then all of a sudden Allgeier gets a hot hand, and what you're doing with him is working. Don't be rigid. We have to win the game." Godwin Igwebuike led the team in rushing for the second game but faces an uphill battle for a roster spot. Patterson was sidelined due to a soft tissue injury and is unlikely to see preseason action.
Wide Receivers
Drake London caught two passes for 33 yards on three targets on his only drive. London's sideline grab was the play of the game. The Athletic's Kendall thinks the team could only keep five receivers. The top four are London, Mack Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, and Scotty Miller. However, no clear frontrunner has emerged from the rest. Hodge was on track to secure the No. 3 role but suffered an ankle injury in the game and did not return. ESPN's Michael Rothstein tells the story of Hodge's career as a TikTok personality. Frank Darby was waived with an injury settlement.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts caught one pass for nine yards in his first game action since an MCL injury ended his 2022 season. Smith was happy to have his star tight end back on the field: "It was good for Kyle to get out there, good to get him going so he could feel the speed of the game." The coaches were conservative with Pitts' usage, particularly on rushing downs. Pitts, along with Parker Hesse, Jonnu Smith, and MyCole Pruitt, appear to be locked in as the tight ends who will make the 53-man roster.
Defense
The defense’s best asset is its size. Coach Smith said, "We have to be one of the bigger teams in the league now. We have physicality. We have depth. It allows us to do a lot of things and keep guys fresh because we can roll them in and out. That's where our hope for this thing really comes into place." The Athletic's Jordan Schultz talked about the enhanced defensive line depth and the goal of relieving defensive tackle Grady Jarrett from double teams. Jarrett and cornerback A.J. Terrell are the only starters remaining from the 2021 defense. Expect the team to play more four-person fronts than in 2022, an alignment highlighted by Kendall in his latest 53-man roster projection. Safety Jessie Bates was a significant addition, with the Falcons making him the fourth highest-paid safety in the league. Smith said, "We like guys that play aggressive. Guys that want to attack. We don't want to be passive. Jessie's been a lot; he's been a big addition. I think it's helped, Richie [Grant]." Rookie safety DeMarcco Hellams has been a consistent standout, securing his second interception in as many games.
Offensive Line
The Falcons' starters played one series on Friday night against Cincinnati and looked effective for the most part. Left tackle Jake Matthews has started every regular season game since 2015, the longest such streak in the league. Rookie left guard Matthew Bergeron did an excellent job walling off defenders in the zone scheme. Center Drew Dalman is known for his strength in moving defenders. However, there were drawbacks, as right guard Chris Lindstrom incurred two holding penalties, and right tackle Kaleb McGary had a false start, which is atypical for their performance. Overall, the Falcons' offensive line ranks 15th.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
The Falcons, including quarterback Desmond Ridder, held their key offensive pieces out against the Dolphins. Dave Choate of The Falcoholic relayed that coach Arthur Smith plans to play the starters next week against Cincinnati. Tori McElhany of AtlantaFalcons.com quoted Smith regarding Ridder’s decision-making: "I do think his decision-making has been pretty damn good. His techniques have certainly improved, too." Ridder spoke to his growing confidence: "I'm very comfortable with our offense, so it's really about going out there and not forcing anything, not trying to make a big play, but trying to make things (happen) play by play." Logan Woodside played the entire game and is the third quarterback. He was 14-of-23 for 146 yards in the victory. The looming decision will be whether Woodside is on the 53-man roster or if the team risks him on the practice squad.
Running Backs
Amna Subhan of AtlantaFalcons.com sat down with running backs coach Michael Pitre. Pitre noted that the team is pushing Robinson: “We want to continue to challenge him to see — can he push himself past a threshold of even what he thinks he's capable of to see what we can unlock in him.” Pitre hinted that the team might lean on a hot-hand approach at the position. Bijan Robinson, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Tyler Allgeier were among the players held out for the preseason opener. They are all expected to see regular playing time. The team made news with their depth chart release, listing Robinson as 5th string. That’s obviously a motivational ploy to signal that everyone – even elite first-round picks – must earn their roles. There is competition for a potential fourth running back on the roster between Godwin Igwebuike and undrafted rookie Carlos Washington. Igwebuike led the way, gaining 70 yards on 13 carries and scoring the team’s only offensive touchdown. Washington struggled, gaining 27 yards on 12 carries. The team kept four running backs in 2022, but that was before Allgeier emerged, and they used a Top 10 pick on Robinson. Patterson is expected to miss some time with a soft tissue injury.
Wide Receivers
Drake London, Mack Hollins, and KhaDarel Hodge joined the list of players who did not play vs Miami. ESPN’s Michael Rothstein reports that Hodge has consistently been running with the starters and looks to have a lockdown on the No. 3 role. Frank Darby was having a strong offseason program but will miss at least a week with a soft tissue injury. Dolphins’ beat writer Omar Kelly of SI.com noted that the Falcons’ passing game struggled in joint practices, relying on short throws.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts also sat out the preseason opener. Jonnu Smith is ramping up his activity in practice; Jeremy Brener of SI.com reported that Smith was not injured but was vague about why he has been delayed in his return to practice. John Fitzpatrick is pushing for inclusion on the 53-man roster.
Defense
The team made a surprising move, releasing linebacker Mykal Walker. Walker was a starter in 2022 and finished third on the team in tackles. Nickel back Dee Alford was one of the few defensive starters to see game action against the Dolphins, but he made his biggest impact on special teams, returning a punt for a touchdown in the win. The team is looking for a primary returner after Avery Williams' season-ending injury. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell was one of the big offseason additions, and he was able to practice for the first time this week. Josh Kendall from The Athletic reports Campbell is still on track to play Week 1. Rookie third-round pick Zach Harrison has been generating buzz from Daniel Flick of SI.com. The team expected to redshirt Harrison, but reports are that they are instead planning on working him into the rotation.
Returners
Cordarrelle Patterson, renowned as the best kickoff return specialist in NFL history, remains a key figure in the Falcons' special teams. Rookie Bijan Robinson's addition could potentially provide more opportunities for Patterson. Additionally, newly-signed cornerback Mike Hughes, the most experienced punt returner on the team, has been leading in snaps for that position.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
The team made a switch at quarterback, replacing Marcus Mariota with Taylor Heinicke and entrusting Desmond Ridder with the starting role. Ridder's leadership and attitude have left a positive impression on tight end Kyle Pitts, as reported by NFL.com's Kevin Patra: "He's been more vocal to the team and grabbing us up when our heads are maybe down. Kind of like those regular camp things, but just to see him step into this new role and grab his team by the reins, that's what we've all been waiting on." Logan Woodside will serve as the emergency third quarterback, having been with Arthur Smith since 2019. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution expects Woodside to see most of the preseason game snaps.
Running Backs
The offensive focus during the offseason has centered around the pivotal selection of Bijan Robinson, who was chosen eighth overall. Robinson has lived up to the hype, garnering high praise from Coach Smith. "Pretty (redacted) pleased with Bijan so far." Incumbents Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson are also roster locks. Scott Blair of Falcons.com thinks this is where the 53-man roster stops at the position. Patterson's versatility exemplifies the team's commitment to positionless football, an emphasized concept throughout the organization. As head coach, Smith has fostered an environment where players excel in various roles. Patterson told Colin Beazley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "If you look on the offense, you've got a lot of guys that play a lot of different positions… That's what the league is going into now. They have a lot of skilled guys. The more you could do on that football field (the better)."
Wide Receivers
At wide receiver, Blair's projection includes five players: Drake London, Mack Hollins, Scott Miller, Khadarel Hodge, and Penny Hart, with the first four appearing to be locked. Hart is in competition with Frank Darby, Slade Bolden, and Zay Malone for a potential roster spot. The versatility of tight end Kyle Pitts allows the Falcons to carry fewer receivers on the 53-man roster. Darby is having a solid camp. London has been a star but admits the increased talent at cornerback is giving him fits in camp: "This type of defense allows the cornerbacks to play more aggressively, and that is helping me tremendously. You can see I'm not getting too much of what I normally get, and I think that's going to help me in the long run.” Hollins has taken on a leadership role while also revealing several eccentric habits.
Tight Ends
The tight end group will play a significant role this year, particularly if Pitts returns to the form that led to a 1,000-yard campaign as a rookie. Veteran Jonnu Smith – who played under Smith in Tennessee – joins the team and will provide leadership, versatility, and an aggressiveness as a blocker. Pitts is working back into shape after last year’s season-ending MCL injury and hasn’t quite gotten comfortable with quarterback Desmond Ridder yet.” John Fitzpatrick, Parker Hesse, and MyCole Pruitt are fighting for roster spots, with Fitzpatrick being the early standout.
Defense
The team was aggressive in free agency, adding safety Jessie Bates, cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, and edge rusher Bud Dupree. Okudah was injured this week, but the team received positive news on his MRI and thinks he will be back earlier than feared. Receiver Drake London is impressed with the overhauled defensive front: "That upfront is mean, man. It's very, very mean. You can see the tenacity on that side is going to help a lot."
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